Parents

When one chooses an investment in a child’s future, what could be better than Camp Glen Arden?

Time at Glen Arden is total involvement in a warm and caring community where an organized, uplifting environment is the way of life.

Camp is a happy time of experiences shared with good friends. The opportunity to develop new skills and true love for the backwoods is a daily process. Spending a summer in the mountains, with new and old friends, builds independence and friendships and results in a well-rounded, wholesome individual. This is what we hope for all our campers, and we strive to give them the guidance necessary to achieve these goals.

Our parents play a very important role in this development before, during, and after camp. Complete support is necessary for your daughter's success. The independence and self-reliance that she will gain while at Glen Arden will be remarkable.

It begins with your willingness to allow your daughter to be immersed in a culture that encourages trying new things, your willingness to allow her to make decisions on her own guided by inspiring young women who act as instructors and counselors, your willingness to allow her to celebrate her accomplishments and learn that failure is only the beginning of the next challenge.

During her time at Glen Arden, you will support her growth through a letter or an email delivered to her during rest hour referencing one of the many exciting photos that you viewed through the camp's on-line photo gallery. News from home will allow her to know that you are thinking of her and will encourage her to continue to experience all that Glen Arden has to offer without disturbing her experience.

When she arrives home from camp, you will recognize an increase in confidence, an assertiveness that that drives initiative, and an independence that promotes responsible decision making. New skills and discovered talents gained while at camp will create a path for future development at home and continued growth from learned life skills at camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of medical care is available to campers?

A licensed nurse practitioner is in residence at our fully stocked infirmary. We are seven miles from a major hospital.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, as well as personal checks, money orders and cash.

What is the camper to counselor ratio?

Glen Arden's overall ratio is 3:1. Each cabin consists of 4-6 campers and 1 counselor who is 19 years of age or older. Our staff is also augmented by older, more experienced, non-cabin counselors, including teachers, activity professionals, and medical staff.

The clothing on the packing list is a quantity deemed necessary for one week at camp. Laundry is sorted and washed on a weekly basis here at camp, so the quantities on the packing list are sufficient for the entire camp session.

What are the camp uniforms?

We wear our "blues" to dinner each night and our "whites" on Sundays. The "blues" consist of navy blue shorts and a navy blue shirt with a collar. The "whites" should be white shorts and a white shirt with a collar. We wear our ties under our collars when wearing our uniforms. Campers staying for 3 or 4 week sessions generally need 4 pairs of blues and 2 pairs of whites. You can find navy and white shirts with collars at most outfitters, including LLBean, and Land's End. It is also helpful to look in the children's section of stores like The GAP, Target, and Wal-Mart.

What is the significance of the Clan tie?

On the first night of camp, each new camper is assigned to either the Red or the Blue Clan. She receives a tie made from the plaid of her Clan. The plaid varies from year to year, but the camper keeps her tie for life. Many Glen Arden mothers pass on their clan ties to their daughters. The ties are worn with the navy blue uniforms to dinner in the dining hall and with the white uniforms on Sundays. The ties are very important to Glen Arden girls and we keep them in special places in our cubbies when we are not wearing them. In the winter, many girls hang them in their rooms as a reminder of their better selves.

Can my daughter receive care packages?

No. Glen Arden has a no-package policy due to limited space in the cabins. We will return any packages upon arrival at camp. Please feel free to write letters, as campers look forward to mail call each day.

Can my daughter receive phone calls, emails or faxes?

No. We do not allow campers to use the phone, computer, or fax machine except in extreme cases designated by the camp director. Please be assured that the office staff is available to handle all emergencies and to answer your questions and concerns during your daughter's stay at camp. We find that access to technology is a distraction for the campers and detracts from their experience at camp. Letters to your daughter are the best method of contact and will be delivered daily.

What are Sundays like at Glen Arden?

There is a very special quality to Sundays at Glen Arden. We dress in our whites and attend Sunday School in the Green Cathedral. The Green Cathedral is one of the most sacred and beautiful spots at camp and provides a quiet place of wonder for the whole camp family to worship. Sunday School consists of hymns sung by the Counselor Choir and a homily given by Casey. There are Bible readings from the Old Testament and readings that pertain to our spiritual life at camp and in the "real world." In the afternoon we have a camp-wide clan event and in the evening we dress in our whites again and go back to the Green Cathedral for a Vespers Service. This is a service created by the campers for the campers. A different unit of campers is responsible for the service each Sunday. In this way, the campers are allowed to put their own hearts and thoughts into the rituals of Sunday services.

What if my daughter is Catholic?

At the request of parents, Catholic campers will be taken to Mass in Hendersonville early on Sunday mornings. The campers dress in their whites for Mass and are accompanied by Catholic counselors. They will return to camp in time for breakfast and the camp-wide Sunday School.

What is the Progression System?

Glen Arden has a Progression System that allows girls to challenge themselves and advance through an activity at her own rate. We have five levels, beginning with "Clanswoman" and ending with "Tender of the Flame." A "Tender of the Flame" must be able to teach the activity in which she has received her "Tender." After a camper has achieved the same progression level in six different activities, she will receive a badge at Closing Banquet on the last night of camp.

What if my daughter wants to ride horses?

All campers who want to take riding, take a riding test immediately upon arrival to Glen Arden. Based on this test, they will be placed in the appropriate level riding class. We have a lower riding ring for beginners and an upper riding ring for the more advanced riders. We also offer trail rides for all riders. In addition, campers may participate in the "horsemasters" program which allows them to adopt a horse that they will care for throughout the summer. Truly ambitious horse-lovers frequently become "Barn Rats" and wake up early to feed and bring in the horses. At the end of the July session, we have a camp-wide Horse Show, where girls of all levels compete for ribbons and awards. Campers have the chance to ride, at the very least, three times a week.

Where do trips out of camp go?

Girls at Glen Arden are given the chance to go on many types of trips off the camp property. We backpack in Pisgah, take overnight trail rides to the Biltmore Estate, rock climb in Linville Gorge, and canoe and kayak down the many whitewater rivers in Wetern North Carolina. Each trip is limited to the skill levels and numbers that the trip leaders deem appropriate. Trips are supervised by qualified staff members in that area of expertise. Our trip leaders are often girls who have grown up at Glen Arden and are familiar with the area. We are proud of our mountaineering, riding, climbing and water activities. Girls are given the chance to experience the adventure and beauty of the mountains in a safe and nurturing environment. In addition to trips off of camp property, we have many breathtaking camping spots on camp property and almost every camper spends at least one night out under the stars with her cabin-mates.

Does my daughter need to sign up for activities before camp starts?

No. The first days of camp are designated for sampling the activities and getting to know the counselors who will be teaching them. Activities are chosen after this sampling period.

Are there age limits on any activities?

Yes. Age limits for Woodcarving, Riflery, and Archery vary based on the safety factors in these activities.